Overview
- Navas, speaking to AS, praised Zinedine Zidane’s rare ability to manage groups, build confidence and prepare teams tactically.
- He said Zidane invested extra hours in a young Vinicius Jr. with post-training drills on technique, speed and finishing that accelerated his growth.
- Navas recalled Alvaro Arbeloa guiding him personally and professionally when he arrived at Real Madrid, noting Arbeloa is now the first-team coach.
- He backed firm punishment over the alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Jr., expressing empathy for his former teammate and calling for decisive consequences.
- He explained that Real Madrid’s 2018 signing of Thibaut Courtois as the intended starter led him to leave for playing time, as UEFA now investigates the incident with a possible minimum ten-game ban and likely reliance on testimony due to limited evidence.